Africa-Press – Botswana. The Leader of Opposition (LOO) also Maun North MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando says the Constitution (Amendment) Bill is a betrayal of democratic ideals and the aspirations of Batswana.
In a statement presented in Parliament on August 14, he warned that the current government’s actions mirrored the very practices it once fought against.
Mr Saleshando reminded fellow lawmakers that the 2024 general election marked a historic turning point, delivering a long-awaited change of government.
He said it was however, not the case as the Botswana the people voted for, one committed to transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful reform, faced the threat of regression.
“Today we stand at a crossroads of democratic betrayal, this Parliament has been invited to betray the high hopes of the nation,” said Mr Saleshando.
He said at the heart of Bill was the establishment of a new Constitutional Court, a move the government argued would strengthen Botswana’s legal system by centralising the interpretation of constitutional matters.
Mr Saleshando warned that this piecemeal and fraudulent amendment bypassed the necessary inclusive constitutional review process the nation was promised.
He criticised the Bill for adopting the same discredited BDP template of constitutional manipulation that was previously rejected by the public.
He said the proposed court risks becoming a partisan tool as it perpetuated presidential control over judicial appointments.
“This Bill is not just an affront to the people of Botswana, it is a brazen assault on the notion of an inclusive, participatory and transparent, people-centred review process,” he said.
Mr Saleshando raised concerns about the continued influence of the Executive in judicial appointments, arguing that the amendments gave the President excessive power to handpick judicial leaders.
He warned that such appointments, if based on loyalty over merit, risk eroding public trust in the judiciary.
“The UDC behaves as if the courts are personal fiefdoms, tools to advance political interests rather than temples of justice. Judicial leadership must never be appointed on partisan considerations, but on merit,” he said.
He called for the establishment of an independent Judicial Service Commission composed of legal professionals, civil society and independent experts to oversee judicial appointments, saying such a move would align Botswana with international best practices.
Mr Saleshando accused the UDC of mimicking the behaviour of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
He expressed solidarity with demands recently voiced by the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO).
Mr Saleshando reiterated the need for a truly people-owned constitution and called for a national debate on the review process. He also suggested public education on the constitution before its review, the withdrawal of the current Bill and convening of an All-Party Conference, including translation of the constitution into local languages to ensure broader participation.
He urged the UDC to honour its campaign promises and respect the sovereign will of the people.
“We do not want a self-serving piecemeal review, we do not want a government-controlled process, this is not a UDC document, it is a document of the people,” he said.
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